Beaver pipeline explosion cited in DEP move to halt permits

Adam Pope, a spokesman for Sunoco Logistics, shows off its plans for the Mariner East 2 liquids pipeline project and answers questions from potentially impacted Westmoreland County residents during an open house at the Adamsburg Volunteer Fire Department on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015.

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The state Department of Environmental Protection says it is not approving any more clean water permits for Energy Transfer LP until the Texas-based company corrects problems related to a Beaver County pipeline explosion in September .

DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell said Friday that Energy Transfer, operator of the Revolution pipeline in Beaver County, has failed to comply with an October order that it stabilize disturbed areas and prevent further erosion from the construction area.

The methane gas explosion destroyed one home in Beaver County last September.

The permit hold will not apply to any approvals needed for Energy Transfer to comply with the order, nor will it apply to mitigation and environmental restoration work along the Mariner East 2 pipeline, DEP spokesman Neil Shader said.

The hold will, however, affect the in-service date for the Revolution pipeline, a 24-inch natural gas gathering line that will service the Rover pipeline and Mariner East 2.

Energy Transfer’s pipelines in Pennsylvania include the Mariner East 1, 2 and 2X across southern Pennsylvania. The projects have drawn millions in fines and several temporary shutdown orders from state agencies.